Rafa Benitez has lamented Newcastle United’s wastefulness in front of goal as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat on the south coast - but he remains adamant that Brighton and Hove Albion’s winner should have been disallowed.

The Magpies boss concedes that United’s defending for Tomer Hemed’s 51st-minute winner at The Amex was poor, but he believes Chancel Mbemba was fouled by Bruno in the build-up to the set-piece strike.

However, before Chris Hughton’s men took control of the game during the second half, Newcastle were guilty of missing some excellent chances.

Most notably, Joselu wasted an opportunity from four yards out midway through the first half - putting it past the post when he simply had to hit the target - and Benitez accepts that United will continue to be punished in the Premier League if they are not clinical.

“We had chances but didn’t take them. There was a chance for Joselu in the first half, and then in the second half we had three or four good positions where we should have done better,” Benitez explained as United’s three-game-winning run came to an end.

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“We have to learn from this defeat. In the Premier League, you have to take your chances when they come along.

“You have to take your chances, and you also have to be stronger in defence if you want to make sure that you will have a clean sheet.

“Our fans are very clever. They know we were talking about three wins in a row, but they also see that our team is a team that has to work very hard and do everything right to make sure they have chances to take points.

“We made some mistakes and paid for that. We didn’t take our chances, and that is a key factor in the games in the Premier League.

“The level of the teams is higher, but in these games, when you are playing against a team that is more or less at your level, it is important to take something. I think we deserved to pick up at least one point, but we didn’t do it.”

Newcastle United's manager Rafael Benitez (Image: Newcastle United)

Benitez was not pleased with referee Andre Marriner, either, stressing the official should have disallowed Brighton’s goal.

Even so, he accepts Newcastle’s defending of the set piece was poor.

“I’m disappointed because the goal is a clear foul,” Benitez added.

“We didn’t defend well, I would say that, but at the same time there is some movement and it’s a push, not a block, it’s a foul - that’s it - and the referee has a very good position.

“No, I don’t need to ask [the referee]. It was very clear, you can see the replay.

“It’s a player who is moving, it’s not a player who is standing still and blocking, it’s a player moving and pushing. It’s a very clear foul when you talk about all the meetings we’ve had.

“Still we were not defending well so we have to be strong. I don’t disagree with that. But still it’s a clear foul.”